Cherry tree named &#39;PA7UNIBO&#39;

ABSTRACT

Variety Denomination ‘PA7UNIBO’ is a novel cherry tree derived from a seedling of unknown cross which was planted at Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. The genus and species (cultivar) of ‘PA7UNIBO’ is  Prunus avium . It was initially propagated by grafting to root stocks of varying vigor and, after testing in districts and plantings of differing types, proved to have qualities for a promising new cultivar for the market.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to CPVO (CommunityPlant Variety Office) Application No. 201502594, titled, ‘PA7UNIBO’,which was filed on Nov. 12, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

The European Trademark for ‘Sweet Stephany’ was registered on Aug. 1,2016 as Registration No. 014997911, in the name of Alma MaterStudiorum—Universita di Bologna. This European Trademark is associatedto ‘PA7UNIBO’, and used to distinguish such cherry variety from others.

Latin name and variety denomination: Latin name of the genus/species ofthe plant claimed (cultivar): Prunus avium (L.)L.

Variety denomination: ‘PA7UNIBO’.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Prunus avium ‘PA7UNIBO’, originally derived from seedling of unknowncross and called Selection DCA BO B5 A89, was planted at Vignola, ModenaProvince, Italy, in 2002, and was first cropped in 2004. It wasinitially propagated by grafting to root stocks of varying vigor, testedin different growing districts and planting densities, and proved tohave the properties proper to a promising new cultivar for the market.It picks in the second/third decade of June (or third/fourth week ofJune) in Modena Province, more precisely, about 27-28 days after‘Burlat’ and approximately 6-9 days after ‘Bing’.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The parentage of the variety is unknown. The fruit is comparable in sizeto ‘Duroni 3’ and ‘Sunburst’ varieties, and the prevailing caliber is30-32 mm (definable as very large size). ‘PA7UNIBO’ was selected for itshigh qualities, including tree growth and yield performance, fruitappearance (medium red, comparable to ‘Burlat’, ‘Kordia’, ‘Lapins’),with excellent taste-flavor properties, aromatic and very sweet with agood level of acidity, instead the color of flesh id medium red(comparable to ‘Germesdorfi 45’, ‘Hedelfinger Riesenkirsche’). The fruitis considered firm. The distinctive traits of ‘PA7UNIBO’ also includemid-to-late picking date, uniform ripening, and high field performance.

The date of cross was in the year 2000. The location of the discoverywas Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. The date of the first asexualpropagation was in 2008 in Vignola, Modena Province, Italy. ‘PA7UNIBO’resulted from a cross of unknown varieties, but was initially propagatedon root stock of ‘Gisela 6’ in the trial fields of Bologna University totest field and cropping performance in a medium-to-high densityplanting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyas depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in colorillustrations of this character.

FIG. 1 illustrates trees of PA7UNIBO at blooming time.

FIG. 2 shows the flowers of PA7UNIBO.

FIG. 3 shows the leaf of PA7UNIBO.

FIG. 4 shows fruits of PA7UNIBO.

FIG. 5 shows fruits of PA7UNIBO.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF ‘PA7UNIBO’

-   General:    -   -   Age of described tree(s).—5 years slender spindle training            system.        -   Location of described trees(s).—Vignola, Modena Province,            Italy.        -   Name of color chart used.—Royal Horticultural Society Colour            Chart.        -   Name of root stock.—‘Gisela 6’.-   Tree:    -   -   Vigor.—High.        -   Height.—4.5 meters.        -   Spread.—3 meters.        -   Growth habit.—Open.        -   Canopy density.—Medium.        -   Trunk diameter at specified height.—19-22 cm, as measured at            about 5 cm above graft joint.        -   Trunk color.—gray (201A).        -   Bark texture.—Medium rough.        -   Tendency toward alternate bearing.—No.        -   Winter hardiness.—Unknown; no winter cold damage found in            this Po Valley district.        -   Chilling requirement.—Unknown.-   Branch:    -   -   Length.—150-200 cm.        -   Diameter.—3-4 cm.        -   Crotch angle.—45° -60° depending on training system.        -   Bark color.—reddish-brown (183B) with gray (201A).        -   Bark texture.—Medium rough.-   Current year shoot:    -   -   Length.—50-60 cm.        -   Color.—Reddish-brown (200C/) with fairly widespread gray            overtone (201A).-   Winter hardiness:    -   -   USDA hardiness zone.—Unknown.        -   Chilling requirement.—Unknown.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Number per spur.—5-6, but usually 6.        -   Shape.—Sub-globose.        -   Length.—About 1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Under 1 cm.        -   Color.—Reddish perules (187C).-   Flowers:    -   -   Number per cluster.—Minimum 18, maximum 20 per spur; 3-4 per            bud. Bloom is abundant.        -   Relative position of petals.—Petals overlap slightly.        -   Diameter.—30-35 mm.        -   Depth.—10-15 mm, measured as distance from receptacle to            maximum petal aperture.        -   Is pollen produced?.—Yes.        -   Coloration of pollen.—Pale yellow (12A).-   Sepal:    -   -   Length.—5-6 mm.        -   Shape.—pointed.        -   Width.—3-4 mm.        -   Apex.—Pointed.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Margin descriptors.—Regular margin.        -   Color.—Upper surface — Pale green 142B.        -   Color.—lower surface — Pale green 142A with red (173A).-   Petal:    -   -   Number per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Circular.        -   Length.—18-20 mm.        -   Width.—16 18 mm.        -   Apex.—Slightly sunken.        -   Base.—Slightly pointed.        -   Margin.—Slightly undulated.        -   Color.—Upper surface — White 20D.        -   Color.—Lower surface — White 20D.-   Bloom:    -   -   Date of bud burst.—Apr. 7-8, 2013.        -   Date of first bloom.—Apr. 13, 2013.        -   Date of full bloom.—Apr. 16, 2013.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—28-35 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.2 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green 144A.-   Pistil:    -   -   Quantity.—1.        -   Size.—19-21 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green 144D.-   Anthers:    -   -   Quantity.—28-30, with about 70% of 10-13 mm in length,            positioned slightly below the top of the stigma, and the            remaining 30% varying from 5-8 mm. White filament (20D).        -   Size.—About 1 mm diameter.        -   Color.—Orange-yellow 15C.-   Stigma:    -   -   Quantity.—1.        -   Size.—1.0-1.2 mm diameter.        -   Color.—yellow-green (144B).-   Styles:    -   -   Quantity.—1.        -   Size.—14-16 mm length.        -   Color.—Yellow-green (144B).-   Ovary/ies:    -   -   Quantity.—1.        -   Size.—3-4 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green 144A.

Leaves:

-   -   -   Length.—12.2-14.1 mm.        -   Width.—6.5-6.9 mm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate-elliptical.        -   Apex shape.—Pointed.        -   Base shape.—Pointed.        -   Margin.—Fine toothed.        -   Color.—Upper surface — Dark green 137 B.        -   Color.—Lower surface — Pale green 147B veined green-yellow            (152A/152B) in center.

Petiole:

-   -   -   Length.—4.5-5 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 2 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green lower 144A and reddish upper (183A).

-   Fruit:    -   -   Shape.—Depressed heart-shaped.        -   Diameter.—Mostly 30 mm.        -   Height.—24-27 mm.        -   Weight.—12-13 grams on average.        -   Number per cluster.—5-10 per spur.        -   Skin color (include ground color and over color).—Shiny dark            red (187B) tending to blackish-dark red (187A) at advanced            maturity.        -   Presence of lenticels.—Yes.        -   Density of lenticels.—Medium-high.        -   Skin thickness.—Medium-thin.        -   Skin texture.—Medium.        -   Anthocyanin coloration present near skin?.—No.        -   Tenacity of flesh to stone.—Low.        -   Flesh color.—Red (53A).        -   Flesh texture.—Fine.        -   Juiciness.—High.        -   Juice analysis (brix, acidity, tss, etc.).—21.9 Brix and 8.6            11.8 g/l malic acid (2012-2015 data).        -   Stone size.—Medium-small.        -   Stone shape.—Elliptical.        -   Stone color.—Pale brown (165D).

-   Fruit stem:    -   -   Length.—35-38 mm.        -   Diameter.—Just over 1 mm.        -   Color.—Green (143A).

-   Harvest:    -   -   Maturity date range.—June 10-June 25, approximately 26 days            after ‘Burlat’ and about 6 to 9 days after ‘Bing’. Optimum            harvest dates of ‘PA7UNIBO’ in Modena Province are June            15-20.        -   Harvest date range (if different).—Same as above. The            diploid cultivar ‘PA7UNIBO’ is self-fertile, with the            allelic profile of S3S4. Fruit load and yield is high and            constant, particularly in the presence of flying insects            (e.g., bees, wasps, hornets, beetles, butterflies, etc.).            The method of propagation of the variety is represented by            budding or grafting. Under observation during planting,            growing and harvesting under normal cultural and growing            conditions in Modena Province, Italy, ‘PA7UNIBO’ has been            tested against the following viruses: ACLSV, ApMV, PRNSV,            PDV, CLRV, RpRSV, CNRMV, PPV, TBSV, LChV-1, LChV-1, SLRSV,            ArMV, APLPV. The results were negative, i.e., ‘PA7UNIBO’ was            free from the above-mentioned viruses. Because of the            outstanding and unique horticultural characters of the            claimed plant, especially its long harvest period and large            size, this cherry can be planted to extend the cultivar's            season. Although this new variety of cherry possesses the            above-described characteristics, it is to be understood dial            variations and fluctuations may occur in the magnitude and            qualities due to changes in growing and climate conditions,            irrigation, fertilization, pruning and pest control.

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cherry tree, as herein describedand illustrated.